Gratiot, Wis. (August 6, 2018) — The Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance is excited to announce its second annual field day scheduled for Aug. 23 in Gratiot. Featured practices are tailored to farms in Lafayette County but are applicable to farms across the state with similar conservation goals.

The Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance (LASA), founded in 2017, is a farmer-led, nonprofit organization committed to faithful and sustainable stewardship of our natural resources. Through innovation and collaboration, LASA identifies, shares and promotes conservation practices that demonstrate continuous improvement and preserve and enhance the quality of life in the community.

LASA recognizes that we have three main responsibilities in Lafayette County – protecting the natural resources, helping the public understand general farming practices and empowering members to improve farming techniques. These goals can be achieved through open communication and a willingness to share knowledge and research while being open-minded to new practices on our farms.

“Our first events have been very successful, and we are excited to offer a second field day showcasing additional techniques that have proven effective in our area,” said Jim Winn, chairman of LASA. “This event will focus on reduced tillage and soil health and will continue our core focus on cover crops.”

Farmers from Lafayette County are encouraged to attend; however, farmers from neighboring counties are also welcome. This event is supported by Kuhn Kraus, La Crosse Seeds, The Nature Conservancy, Professional Dairy Producers Foundation, Ross Soil Service, Sloan Implement and the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. Go to lafayetteagstewardship.org for the complete schedule.

Details:Thursday, Aug. 23 | Hosted by Berget Family Farms | Field is on Hwy 11, just west of Gratiot, and west of the bank.

Field Day Agenda 12:15 P.M.Registration + Lunch
1:00 P.M. Attendees split into four groups and proceed through four designated stations:

About Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance: Established in 2017, Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance is a farmer-led 501c(3) non-profit organization with a vision of a community where farmers and friends of agriculture work together to protect and improve our water quality and environment. The group is composed of member-farms with 23,350 head of livestock and 55,760 acres of land. Members represent about 20 percent of the available farm land in Lafayette County. To learn more, go to lafayetteagstewardship.org.

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Editor’s Note: [Photos]

Cover crop garden – Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance will host its annual field day on Aug. 23. The popular LASA cover crop garden is one of four stations at the event. The cover crop garden is a ‘living classroom’ for numerous cover crop varieties planted using diverse techniques.

Cover crop garden 2 – The goal of the cover crop garden is to show farmers how different varieties might interact with their own unique farming system.

Additional high resolution photos are available by request

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If you go:

What: Lafayette Ag Stewardship Alliance field day

When: Thurs. Aug. 23

Where: Gratiot, Hwy 11, just west of village limits, and west of the bank. Look for signage.

Details: Lunch and seating will be under a tent. Field day will proceed rain or shine. Restrooms available. Water provided. Consider sunscreen and bug spray.

Admission is free

Agenda:

12:15 P.M. Buffet lunch catered by The General Store

1:00 P.M. Attendees split into four groups and proceed through four designated stations: